Ron Levett's memories of his time in the British Liberation Army during World War II.

Ron Levett, born in Alfriston, East Sussex, enlisted in 1943 and joined the Royal Armoured Corps. After completing his training as a Driver Operator he was sent to Belgium to join the British Liberation Army, where he was posted to the Royal Scots Grays and then to the Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) signals troop. Their task was to liberate Belgium, Holland and ultimately Germany. This is his story.

On the 2nd May, the 1st Bn. Parachute Regt, 3 Para Brigade were mounted on our tanks at 0530 hrs. 'C' Sqdn with Recce Troop and the C.O in his Dingo out in front moved up the centre line.

It was hoped that the town of Wittenburg would be taken by the end of the day. It was reached at 1030 hrs with no opposition. The lead tanks pushed on to Lutzow, where 'C' Sqdn took up positions each side of the road. Sgt. Stewart of 2nd Troop spotted transport trucks moving away, which he engaged with High Explosive and set three or four on fire.

They now moved on to Gadesbusch, where the tanks overran enemy troops who were so surprised that they surrendered without a shot. For the rest of the day the enemy column on the other side of the road was unending.

There were single cylinder farm tractors pulling flat trailers loaded with furniture, bedding, household goods of all kinds plus the elderly and children. Troops still carrying rifles and wearing steel helmets marched in order. I even saw a MK111 Panzer in the column.

The C.O of 3rd Para Bde rode on the pillion seat of a Greys Despatch rider, with Recce Troop and the Greys C.O. headed for Wismar, on the coast.

About midday, as RHQ was moving through one town, the tank in front was fired on from an open space on the right hand side of the road. It was only small arms fire, but obviously would have to be dealt with.

Half a dozen paras jumped off their tank and disappeared round the corner. About five minutes later there was a long burst of automatic fire and soon after, the paras returned, waved the tanks on and jumped back on board.

I heard a report on the radio a little later that Sgt. Randalls's tank was held up at a level crossing by a train load of troops (German) and new SP. guns. He was told to let the train go otherwise it would hold up our advance.

The train was heading towards 11th Armd Div. centre-line anyway and would soon be 'in the bag'. 11th Armd, who were heading for Lübeck, were informed about the train.

As soon as the train was clear the C.O noticed another train about to leave the station loaded with ME109 (German) fighters. He parked his scout car across the line ready for a quick get-away but the train stopped and the crew surrendered.

The C.O. entered the town of Wismar together with Recce Troop. The last tank was a little late arriving and found that the town barriers had been lowered. He persuaded the man manning the barrier to lift it. I heard later that he threatened them with a 1000 bomber raid if they refused but I can't vouch for the accuracy of this tale.

Orders came through that we were not to enter the town until the infantry arrived. This order came a little late because Recce Troop was already through the town and in the Northeast outskirts.

Soon after, 4th Troop of 'C' Sqdn, with two battalions of infantry arrived to back them up. This was fortunate because the town was full of fully armed German soldiers.

A number of aircraft were flying around and an aerodrome was found North of the town, although it was not marked on the map. The C.O with two sections of Recce Troop and 4th Troop 'C' Sqdn set off to find it.

Some firing took place and the C.O had a hand grenade thrown at him, but it caused no damage. The Colonel shot the offender. A lorry load of Luftwaffe personnel attempted to leave the aerodrome but the C.O put a burst of machine-gun fire through the window and the lorry stopped.

The airmen dismounted, fell into three ranks and were marched off by an officer under arrest. At about 9 pm that evening two White scout cars and two motorcycle combinations, manned by Russian troops drove into the town.

A great deal of handshaking and Vodka consumption took place. The Russians then departed the way they had come. The following day the 3rd May, the remainder of the regiment, including RHQ, arrived at a village called Schulenbrook, which is about 5 miles South of Wismar. All of a sudden, for us the war had ended.

Ron Levett, 2001